How does flicker work on the stack?

How Does Flicker Work on the Stack?

Flickering is a popular term in Magic: The Gathering that can be a bit confusing, especially for new players. In this article, we will delve into the mechanics of flickering and provide a comprehensive overview of how it works on the stack.

What is Flickering?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s define what flickering is. Flickering is a term used to describe the act of removing a permanent from the battlefield, then returning it to the battlefield as a new object. This process can have various effects on the permanent, such as resetting counters, removing attachments, and triggering abilities.

Direct Answer: How Does Flicker Work on the Stack?

To put it simply, when you flicker a permanent on the stack, it essentially "dies" and then comes back to life as a new object. This process can have a significant impact on the permanent, as it can remove counters, attachments, and trigger abilities.

Mechanics of Flickering

Here are some key mechanics to understand about flickering:

• Exiling: When you flicker a permanent, it is exiled, meaning it is sent to the exile zone and can no longer be targeted by spells or abilities.
• Returning: After the flicker effect resolves, the permanent returns to the battlefield as a new object. This means it loses any counters, attachments, or other effects it may have had.
• Resetting: Some permanents, such as planeswalkers, can reset their counters and abilities when they are flickered and return to the battlefield.

When Can You Flicker?

Flickering can occur during certain phases of the game. Here are some examples:

• Main Phase: You can flicker a permanent during the main phase of your turn.
• Combat Phase: You can flicker a creature during the combat phase if it is being attacked.
• End of Combat: You can flicker a creature during the end of combat phase if it is still on the battlefield.

Flickering Tokens

Tokens can also be flickered, although they have some unique rules surrounding their flickering:

• Token Creation: Tokens are created when a player’s ability or spell generates a token.
• Token Flickering: Tokens can be flickered like any other permanent, sending them to the exile zone and then returning them to the battlefield as a new object.
• No Returning: Unlike permanents, tokens do not return to the battlefield when flickered. Instead, they are destroyed and cannot be targeted by spells or abilities.

Flickering and Counters

When a permanent is flickered, any counters or enchantments attached to it are removed. Here are some examples:

• Removal: Flickering a permanent removes any counters or enchantments attached to it.
• Return: When the permanent returns to the battlefield, any counters or enchantments reattach to it.
• Reset: Some counters or enchantments can reset their values or effects when the permanent is flickered and returns to the battlefield.

Flickering and Abilities

Flickering can also affect permanent abilities:

• Abilities: When a permanent is flickered, any abilities it has are suppressed.
• Trigger Abilities: Trigger abilities that activate when a permanent is attacked or dealt damage are triggered once more when the permanent returns to the battlefield.
• Reset Abilities: Some abilities can reset their counters or effects when the permanent is flickered and returns to the battlefield.

Conclusions

In conclusion, flickering is a complex mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that can have a significant impact on permanents and the game as a whole. By understanding how flickering works on the stack, you can improve your gameplay and make better decisions during your games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers about flickering:

Q: Can I flicker a permanent that is currently untapped?
A: No, you can only flicker a permanent that is currently tapped or untapped.

Q: Can I flicker a permanent that is in combat?
A: Yes, you can flicker a permanent that is currently in combat.

Q: Can I flicker a token?
A: Yes, you can flicker a token like any other permanent, sending it to the exile zone and then returning it to the battlefield as a new object.

Q: What happens to a permanent’s counters when it is flickered?
A: When a permanent is flickered, any counters or enchantments attached to it are removed.

By understanding the mechanics of flickering, you can become a more skilled Magic player and improve your gameplay. Remember to always pay attention to the game state and think carefully about your flickering decisions. Happy playing!